Belt and belt buckle thereof

ABSTRACT

A belt has a band and a belt buckle. An end of the band has multiple hole sets formed thereon. The belt buckle is mounted on another end of the band and has a frame and a buckling element. An end of the buckling element is formed as at least one pivot bar pivotally connected to the frame. Another end of the buckling element is formed as multiple prongs selectively mounted through engaging holes of one of the hole sets. Thus, the buckling element and the band can be stably connected with each other. The prongs of the buckling element do not rub against edges around the engaging holes, so the engaging holes are not enlarged. Moreover, the prongs can be integrally formed on the buckling element. No additional manufacturing process is needed. Accordingly, the belt and the belt buckle are practical and convenient for manufacturing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a belt and a belt buckle thereof, and more particularly to a belt buckle that can stably connect two ends of a belt.

2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

With reference to FIG. 7, a conventional belt includes a band 31 and a belt buckle 32. The band 31 has multiple engaging holes 311. The engaging holes 311 are formed on an end of the band 31 and are aligned along an elongation axis of the band 31. The belt buckle 32 is mounted on another end of the band 31 and includes a frame 321 and a prong 322. An end of the prong 322 is pivotally connected to the frame 321. With the prong 322 protruding through one of the engaging holes 311 of the band 31, the band 31 can be formed as a circle and worn around a waist of a user.

However, since the belt buckle 32 is connected to the band 31 with only one prong 322 mounted through one engaging hole 311 of the band 31, a connection of the belt buckle 32 and the band 31 is unstable, causing the prong 322 to swing in the engaging hole 311 and rub against an edge around the engaging hole 311. Accordingly, the engaging hole 311 is expanded and enlarged, and more particularly, the wider the band 31, the more unstable the prong 322 is and the easier the prong is enlarged. Moreover, as the engaging hole 311 is enlarged, the connection of the belt buckle 32 and the band 31 gets more unstable and the prong 322 swings in the engaging hole 311 more easily. Thus, the engaging hole 311 is continuously enlarged as in a vicious circle.

A conventional way to stop the vicious circle of enlarging the engaging holes 311 is to enhance the edges around the engaging holes 311 with metal rings mounted on the edges. Nevertheless, although the engaging holes 311 would no longer be enlarged as the metal rings are mounted on the edges around the engaging holes 311, the connection of the belt buckle 32 and the band 31 is still unstable and the prong 322 still swings in the engaging holes 311. Furthermore, mounting the metal rings on the edges around the engaging holes 311 is time consuming and laborious.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a belt and a belt buckle of the belt to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a belt and a buckle. The belt has a band and the belt buckle. An end of the band has multiple hole sets formed thereon. The belt buckle is mounted on another end of the band and has a frame and a buckling element. An end of the buckling element is formed as at least one pivot bar pivotally connected to the frame. Another end of the buckling element is formed as multiple prongs selectively mounted respectively through engaging holes of one of the hole sets.

With the multiple prongs of the buckling element mounted through the engaging holes of the band at the same time, the buckling element and the band can be stably connected with each other. The prongs of the buckling element do not rub against edges around the engaging holes, so the engaging holes are not enlarged. Moreover, the multiple prongs can be integrally formed on the buckling element. Thus, no additional manufacturing process is needed. Accordingly, the belt and the belt buckle of the belt are practical and convenient for manufacturing.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a second embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a third embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a fourth embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a fifth embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of a sixth embodiment of a belt in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of a conventional belt in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment, a belt in accordance with the present invention comprises a band 10 and a belt buckle 20.

The band 10 is elongated and has a first end 101, a second end 102, an elongation axis, a shortening axis, and multiple hole sets 11. The second end 102 is disposed opposite to the first end 101. The elongation axis extends through the first end 101 and the second end 102 of the band 10. The shortening axis is perpendicular to the elongation axis. The hole sets 11 are formed adjacent to the first end 101 of the band 10 and are separately aligned along the elongation axis of the band 10. Each of the hole sets 11 has multiple engaging holes 111. The engaging holes 111 of each hole set 11 are aligned along the shortening axis of the band 10.

The belt buckle 20 is mounted on the second end 102 of the band 10 and has a frame 21 and a buckling element 22. The frame 21 has a connecting portion 211 and an abutting portion 212. The connecting portion 211 is connected to the second end 102 of the band 10. The abutting portion 212 is disposed opposite to the connecting portion 211. The buckling element 22 is pivotally connected to the frame 21 and has two opposite end portions, at least one pivot bar 221, multiple prongs 222, and a connecting bar 223. The at least one pivot bar 221 is formed on one of the end portions of the buckling element 22 and is pivotally connected to the connecting portion 211 of the frame 21. The prongs 222 are formed on the other end portion of the buckling element 22, are selectively mounted respectively through the engaging holes 111 of one of the hole sets 11, and selectively abut on the abutting portion 212 of the frame 21. The connecting bar 223 is mounted between and connects the at least one pivot bar 221 and the prongs 222, such that the prongs 222 can be mounted through the engaging holes 111 of one of the hole sets 11 of the band 10 at the same time.

When in use, the first end 101 of the band 10 is mounted through the frame 21 first. Then the prongs 222 of the buckling element 22 are respectively mounted through the engaging holes 111 of one of the hole sets 11 of the band 10 and abut on the abutting portion 212 of the frame 21, such that the band 10 is formed as a circle.

Alternatively, the engaging holes 111 of each hole set 11 may include multiple through holes that are formed through the band 10 and multiple blind holes that are formed un-through the band 10. The through holes allow corresponding prongs 222 to be mounted through the through hole. The blind holes allow corresponding prongs 222 to engage in the blind hole.

Alternatively, the prongs 222 of the buckling element 22 may have at least two different diameters. Correspondingly, the engaging holes 111 of each hole set 11 have at least two different diameters. The diameter of each engaging hole 111 of each hole set 11 corresponds in length to a corresponding one of the prongs 222. Thus, the prongs 222 that have larger diameters and are mounted in the engaging holes 111 with larger diameters form a main positioning effect. The prongs 222 that have smaller diameters and are mounted in the engaging holes 111 with smaller diameters form an auxiliary positioning effect.

With the multiple prongs 222 of the buckling element 22 mounted through the engaging holes 111 of the band 10 at the same time, the buckling element 22 and the band 10 can be stably connected with each other. The buckling element 22 does not swing relative to the band 10, and the prongs 222 of the buckling element 22 do not rub against edges around the engaging holes 111, such that the engaging holes 111 are not enlarged. Moreover, the buckling element 22 with the multiple prongs 222 can be formed integrally when manufactured. Thus, no additional manufacturing process is needed. Accordingly, the belt and the belt buckle of the belt are practical and convenient for manufacturing.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the first preferred embodiment, each of the hole sets 11 has two engaging holes 111. The frame 21 is rectangular. The buckling element 22 has one pivot bar 221, two prongs 222, and one connecting bar 223. The two prongs 221 are respectively mounted through the two engaging holes 111 of one of the hole sets 11.

With further reference to FIG. 2, in a second preferred embodiment, the abutting portion 212A of the frame 21A is arced. The buckling element 22A has one pivot bar 221A, three prongs 222A, and one connecting bar 223A. Each of the prongs 222A has a distal end. Lengths of the prongs 222A are not all the same. The lengths of the three prongs 222A are determined according to a curvature of the abutting portion 212A of the frame 21A, such that the distal ends of the three prongs 222A can abut on the abutting portion 212A of the frame 21A. Specifically, one of the three prongs 222A that is disposed at the middle is longer than the other two of the prongs 222A that are disposed aside. Each hole set 11A of the band 10A has three engaging holes 111A. Relative positions of the engaging holes 111A correspond to relative positions of the distal ends of the prongs 222A, such that the distal ends of the prongs 222A can be respectively mounted through the engaging holes 111A of each hole set 11A and abut on the abutting portion 212A of the frame 21A. The connecting bar 223A is disposed between the pivot bar 221A and the prongs 222A, such that the prongs 222A of the buckling element 22A can be respectively mounted through the engaging holes 111A of the band 10A at the same time.

With further reference to FIG. 3, in a third preferred embodiment, the abutting portion 212B of the frame 21B is T-shaped.

The buckling element 22B has one pivot bar 221B, three prongs 222B, and a connecting bar 223B. Each of the prongs 222B has a distal end. Lengths of the prongs 222B are not all the same. The lengths of the three prongs 222B are determined according to the T-shaped abutting portion 212B of the frame 21B, such that one of the three prongs 222B that is disposed at the middle is longer than the other two of the prongs 222B that are disposed aside.

Each hole set 11B of the band 10B has three engaging holes 111B. Relative positions of the engaging holes 111B correspond to relative positions of the distal ends of the prongs 222B, such that the distal ends of the prongs 222B can be respectively mounted through the engaging holes 111B of each hole set 11B and abut on the abutting portion 212B of the frame 21B. The connecting bar 223B is disposed between the pivot bar 221B and the prongs 222B, such that the prongs 222B of the buckling element 22B can be respectively mounted through the engaging holes 111B of the band 10B at the same time.

In the second and third preferred embodiments as described, with the abutting portion 212A, 212B of the frame 21A, 21B being arced or T-shaped, the prongs 222A, 222B of the buckling element 22A, 22B have at least two different lengths. Accordingly, the belts and the belt buckles can be designed to have variant appearances.

With further reference to FIG. 4, in a fourth preferred embodiment, each hole set 11C of the band 10C has two engaging holes 111C. The frame 21C is rectangular. The buckling element 22C is H-shaped and has two pivot bars 221C, two prongs 222C, and one connecting bar 223C. The two prongs 222C are respectively mounted through the two engaging holes 111C of one of the hole sets 11C and abut on the abutting portion 212C of the frame 21C. The connecting bar 223C is mounted between and connects the pivot bars 221C and the prongs 222C, such that the prongs 222C can be mounted through the engaging holes 111C of one of the hole sets 11C of the band 10C at the same time.

With further reference to FIG. 5, in a fifth preferred embodiment, each hole set 11D of the band 10D has three engaging holes 111D. The frame 21D is rectangular. The buckling element 22D has two pivot bars 221D, three prongs 222D, and one connecting bar 223D. The three prongs 222D are respectively mounted through the three engaging holes 111D of one of the hole sets 11D and abut on the abutting portion 212D of the frame 21D.

In the fourth and fifth preferred embodiments as described, since the buckling element 22C, 22D has multiple pivot bars 221C, 221D, the buckling element 22C, 22D can be stably connected to the frames 21C, 21D and does not swing relative to the frame 21C, 21D.

With further reference to FIG. 6, in a sixth preferred embodiment, the frame 21E is elongated, and the connecting portion 211E that is connected to the second end 102E of the band 10E extends toward the first end 101E of the band 10E. Thus, an area where the frame 21E and the band 10E are bounded with each other is enlarged. Accordingly, stability of the band 10E is enhanced.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A belt comprising: a band being elongated and having a first end; a second end disposed opposite to the first end of the band; an elongation axis extending through the first end and the second end of the band; a shortening axis being perpendicular to the elongation axis; and multiple hole sets formed adjacent to the first end of the band and separately aligned along the elongation axis of the band, each of the hole sets having multiple engaging holes aligned along the shortening axis of the band; and a belt buckle mounted on the second end of the band and having a frame having a connecting portion connected to the second end of the band; and an abutting portion disposed opposite to the connecting portion; and a buckling element pivotally connected to the frame and having two opposite end portions; at least one pivot bar formed on one of the end portions of the buckling element and pivotally connected to the connecting portion of the frame; multiple prongs formed on the other end portion of the buckling element, selectively mounted respectively through the engaging holes of one of the hole sets of the band, and selectively abutting on the abutting portion of the frame; and a connecting bar mounted between and connecting the at least one pivot bar and the prongs.
 2. The belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different lengths.
 3. The belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the abutting portion of the frame is arced or is T-shaped.
 4. The belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging holes of each hole set include: multiple through holes formed through the band; and multiple blind holes formed un-through the band.
 5. The belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging holes of each hole set include: multiple through holes formed through the band; and multiple blind holes formed un-through the band.
 6. The belt as claimed in claim 3, wherein the engaging holes of each hole set include: multiple through holes formed through the band; and multiple blind holes formed un-through the band.
 7. The belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters; and the engaging holes of each hole set have at least two different diameters, and the diameter of each engaging hole of each hole set corresponds in length to a corresponding one of the prongs.
 8. The belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters; and the engaging holes of each hole set have at least two different diameters, and the diameter of each engaging hole of each hole set corresponds in length to a corresponding one of the prongs.
 9. The belt as claimed in claim 3, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters; and the engaging holes of each hole set have at least two different diameters, and the diameter of each engaging hole of each hole set corresponds in length to a corresponding one of the prongs.
 10. The belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is elongated; and the connecting portion that is connected to the second end of the band extends toward the first end of the band to enlarge an area where the frame and the band are bounded with each other.
 11. The belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame is elongated; and the connecting portion that is connected to the second end of the band extends toward the first end of the band to enlarge an area where the frame and the band are bounded with each other.
 12. The belt as claimed in claim 3, wherein the frame is elongated; and the connecting portion that is connected to the second end of the band extends toward the first end of the band to enlarge an area where the frame and the band are bounded with each other.
 13. A belt buckle having: a frame having a connecting portion; and an abutting portion disposed opposite to the connecting portion; and a buckling element pivotally connected to the frame and having two opposite end portions; at least one pivot bar formed on one of the end portions of the buckling element and pivotally connected to the connecting portion of the frame; multiple prongs formed on the other end portion of the buckling element and selectively abutting on the abutting portion of the frame; and a connecting bar mounted between and connecting the at least one pivot bar and the prongs.
 14. The belt buckle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different lengths.
 15. The belt buckle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the abutting portion of the frame is arced or is T-shaped.
 16. The belt buckle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters.
 17. The belt buckle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters.
 18. The belt buckle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the prongs of the buckling element have at least two different diameters. 